February 14, 2013 -- The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) and the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC) launched the Massachusetts Medical Technology Veterans Program (MassMVP) today with a one-day, intensive training “boot camp” for veterans at UMass Boston. Thirty-two veterans were introduced to their industry mentors, who will help prepare participating veterans to enter the medical technology workforce. Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs Michael Rush were among the speakers at today’s event.

This mentoring program is a state-level initiative based on a national model created by AdvaMed, the Advanced Medical Technology Association. MassMVP was sponsored in part by Covidien and organized with the help of Secretary of Veterans’ Services Coleman Nee and the Department of Veterans’ Services, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, One-Stop Career Centers across the Commonwealth, and the Metro South/West Employment and Training Administration. Local representatives from the following companies contributed their time and expertise as mentors: AbioMed, AgileSEARCH, Boston MedTech Advisors, Boston Scientific, City on a Hill, Codman Neuro, Corindus Vascular Robotics, Covidien, DePuy-Snythes, FloDesign Sonics, Haemonetics, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and the Cardiac and Vascular Group, NinePoint Medical, Optimum Technologies, Organogenesis, Philips, Polestar Products, Strohl Medical, Thermedical and Tomophase Corporation.

“Governor Patrick and I applaud the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center for its leadership in working with our returning veterans to support opportunities for reentry into the workforce,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans’ Services. “We are proud of the hard work and sacrifice of our brave servicemen and women, and we want to ensure a successful transition back home. Our returning veterans are well-trained with valuable skills that can be strengthened by MassMVP, and that are beneficial within our world-renowned medical technology industry.”

“An important goal of the MLSC is to promote access for residents of the Commonwealth to the jobs in our life sciences sectors, including medtech,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the MLSC. “As we make investments in the industry’s growth, medtech companies need the types of skills, dedication and talent that our returning heroes bring to the workforce as they re-enter civilian life. Today’s event was a great beginning, and we look forward to continuing our work on this important initiative.”

“The medical device sector in our state contributes significant job growth for our economy, and it is important that we help our veterans to connect with these job opportunities as much as possible,” said Tom Sommer, President of MassMEDIC.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our veterans to gain the knowledge necessary to fill these well-paying, highly-skilled jobs,” said Senate President Therese Murray. “These types of public-private partnerships provide both a great service to our veterans and a well-trained workforce that can fill these available positions in our growing economic sectors. I commend the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and all of the participants in this effort for giving our veterans the tools to succeed in this new economy.”

“MassMVP benefits returning heroes and helps our company find exceptional talent to bring into the organization,” said Mike Dunford, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Covidien. “A strong work ethic and adaptability are just two of the character traits that make military veterans a good fit for careers in the medical technology industry. We want veterans in this industry as much as they want opportunity.”

Today’s “boot camp” began with opening remarks from Dr. Windham-Bannister, Sommer and Mike Minogue, President & CEO of Abiomed. In the morning, industry leaders presented the benefits of careers in medtech, along with a briefing on the skills required to succeed in the industry. Following the review, a panel of speakers representing the MLSC and medtech industry partners discussed the cooperative benefits that result from pairing veterans with positions in the medtech industry. The veterans also gleaned helpful hints from industry hiring managers, including tips on resume writing, applying and mock interviewing.

“The national program was launched in Massachusetts and we are thrilled that with its success, we are able to return here for the first state-based program. Since October, we have grown from 50 veterans and mentors to now being able to help close to 150,” said AdvaMed President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl. “A second national boot camp will be held in conjunction with our industry conference AdvaMed 2013, but until then, the state-based model allows us to work closer with our companies and reach even more veterans throughout the year.”

The MLSC partnered with AdvaMed and the International Center for Professional Development (ICPD) to launch MassMVP. The program was free to veterans residing in Massachusetts and open to mentors working at a Massachusetts medtech company. Participating veterans will be able to stay in contact with their peers and mentors through www.MedicalTechnologyVeterans.org, the MVP’s online social media tool and mentoring portal.

About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is a quasi-public agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tasked with implementing the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act, a ten-year, $1-billion initiative that was signed into law in June of 2008. The Center’s mission is to create jobs in the life sciences and support vital scientific research that will improve the human condition. This work includes making financial investments in public and private institutions that are advancing life sciences research, development and commercialization as well as building ties among sectors of the Massachusetts life sciences community. For more information, visit www.masslifesciences.com.

About MassMEDIC

The Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council, an organization of 380 manufacturers, suppliers, research institutions, and academic health centers, promotes the unique interests of the Bay State’s growing and vibrant medical device sector. Through a variety of programs, informational seminars, advocacy campaigns and other projects, MassMEDIC provides medical device manufacturers and suppliers with information on industry trends and regulatory policies, and creates forums that allow members to exchange ideas and information on issues affecting the industry. For more information on MassMEDIC, please contact us at (617) 414-1340, or visit our web site at www.massmedic.com.

About the International Center for Professional Development

The International Center for Professional Development (ICPD) is a non-profit organization that offers continuing education programs for students and professionals using personalized face-to-face experiential training and ongoing web-based support. ICPD programs advance professional careers by demystifying complex aspects of career development and enhancing relevant skills for emerging industries. For more information, visit www.icpdprogramsorg.

About AdvaMed

AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.